A facebook group who were quick to announce the signing of Uruguayan forward Emiliano Alfaro last week are now claiming that Lazio are in the final stages of purchasing Brazilian defensive midfielder Ralf de Souza Teles.

The Corinthians midfielder is out of contract next year and rumours have been circulating all winter that the player is keen to test his skills in Europe and that Corinthians may be prepared to cash in given that his contract is soon expiring. In November, his agent confirmed that a host of Italian clubs were interested in signing his client and were scouting the player on a regular basis. It was thought that AC Milan were the frontrunners, closely followed by Roma. Inter are Juve were also reported as possible destinations but now it seems that Lazio are in the hunt.

Ralf is a part of the Brazil setup with four international caps and is viewed as a reliable back-up to Tottenham Hotspur's Sandro.